World leaders condemn Paris attacks, Syrian president terms them a 'result of French policy'

Paris: While France deals with the horrors of Friday night when a series of attacks killed more than 140 people in Paris, leaders from nations around are offering support and condemning the attacks, the deadliest violence to strike France since World War II.

President Pranab Mukherjee:

“Strongly condemn terrorist attacks in Paris, India stands firmly by France, my heart goes out its people,” the President tweeted.

Strongly condemn terrorist attacks in Paris, India stands firmly by France, my heart goes out to its people #PresidentMukherjee

— President Mukherjee (@POI13) November 14, 2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi:

“News from Paris is anguishing and dreadful. Prayers with families of the deceased. We are united with people of France in this tragic hour,” Modi said in a tweet.

News from Paris is anguishing & dreadful. Prayers with families of the deceased. We are united with people of France in this tragic hour.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2015

Home Minister Rajnath Singh:

“In this difficult hour, the people of India firmly stand with the people of France. Words can’t adequately condemn such attacks where innocent people have been killed,” he said in a statement.

Syria:

Syrian President Bashar-al-Assad said that the attacks in Paris were a ‘result of French policy’, AFP reported.

US President Barack Obama:

Obama is calling the attacks on Paris “outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians” and is vowing to do whatever it takes to help bring the perpetrators to justice.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Obama said he would not speculate about who was responsible.

He called the attacks a “heartbreaking situation” and an “attack on all of humanity.”

US Secretary of State John Kerry described the attacks in Paris as “heinous, evil” and “vile,” calling them “an assault on our common humanity.”

He said the US embassy in Paris is “making every effort to account for the welfare of American citizens in the city” and that the US stands ready “to provide whatever support the French government may require.”

The Vatican has condemned the terror attacks in Paris as “an attack on peace for all humanity.”

The Rev. Federico Lombardi said in a statement early Saturday that the violence requires “a decisive, supportive response on the part of all of us as we counter the spread of homicidal hatred in all of its forms.”

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull extended Australia’s deep sympathy to the people of France.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this terrible time,” Turnbull said in a statement from Berlin. “But our solidarity is with them too. When the French people left the stadium after that shocking attack, they were not cowed. They sang their national anthem proudly and that is how all free people should respond to these assaults.”

“In France, and Australia, all around the world, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of France and with all free peoples in the battle against terrorism,” Turnbull added.

The Australian government said a 19-year-old Australian woman had been injured in the attacks.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said in a tweet to French President Francois Hollande: “I sympathize with you and your people; Afghanistan stands with France with resolve to tackle terrorism as a common enemy.”

President @fhollande, I sympathize with you & your people;Afghanistan stands with France with resolve to tackle terrorism as a common enemy.

— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) November 14, 2015

A statement from Ghani’s office quoted him as saying: “The brutal attacks in Paris prove that global terrorism does not recognize borders.”

“Afghan people have for many years been the victims of terrorist attacks. They feel the pain of Parisians, and share the grief of the victims’ families,” Ghani said. “The people of Afghanistan stand with France on this terrible day. Terrorism is a serious threat to the entire world and we are united in the struggle.”

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, as a nation that has suffered from terror attacks, Turkey shares the pain felt by France.

Erdogan, who is scheduled to host G-20 leaders at a summit meeting on Sunday, said the attacks were aimed at the two countries’ “peace and security,” and he called for unity against all terror groups.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II “expressed strong condemnation and indignation at the cowardly terrorist act,” and solidarity with the French people, in a statement published by state news agency Petra.

US Defence Secretary Ash Carter called the attacks in Paris “an assault on our common human dignity.” The Pentagon chief said “the United States stands with the people of France and its vibrant, multicultural democracy.” He praised France as a NATO ally and a leader of the coalition fighting Islamic State militants in Syria.

US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said the US stands “in solidarity with France, as it has stood with us so often in the past.”

“This is a devastating attack on our shared values and we at the Department of Justice will do everything within our power to assist and work in partnership with our French law enforcement colleagues,” she said in a statement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement, “Israel stands shoulder to shoulder with French President Francois Hollande and with the people of France in our common battle against terrorism.”

Japan’s Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said he is “deeply shocked and outraged” by the news of the terrorist attacks in Paris.

Kishida, speaking to reporters Saturday in Hiroshima, said Japan stands by France, promising to cooperate in international fight against terrorism. “We strongly condemn the act of terrorism, which we do not tolerate for any reason,” he said, expressing condolences to the victims and their families.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she is “deeply shaken by the news and pictures that are reaching us from Paris.”

The German leader issued a statement saying her thoughts were with the victims “of the apparent terrorist attack.”

UK Prime Minister David Cameron said he is “shocked” by the Paris attacks and violence.

Cameron said on Twitter: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help.”

I am shocked by events in Paris tonight. Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help.

— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) November 13, 2015

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani strongly condemned the attacks, branding them “crimes against humanity” in a message to his French counterpart Francois Hollande, official news agency Irna said.

“In the name of the Iranian people, who have themselves been victims of terrorism, I strongly condemn these crimes against humanity and offer my condolences to the grieving French people and government,” Rouhani wrote.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is condemning “the despicable terrorist attacks” in Paris.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric says Ban “trusts that the French authorities will do all in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice quickly.”

The UN Security Council also condemned “the barbaric and cowardly terrorist attacks,” and underlined the need to bring the perpetrators of “these terrorist acts to justice.”

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China is “deeply shocked” by the attacks and pledged solidarity with France in combating terrorism. “Terrorism is a common challenge facing humanity. China resolutely supports France in maintaining its national security and stability and in attacking terrorism.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau:

“Our hearts and thoughts and prayers go out to our French cousins in this dark and terrible time,” Trudeau says.

He says Canada has offered “all of our help and support to the government of France.”

AP